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Congressman Worried for Unfair Election

A US
Congressman expressed concern for Cambodia's election, claiming the
process has not been free and fair.

Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat in the House of Representatives
for Maryland, told VOA Khmer this year's
election process in Cambodia
had been full of violence and inequality.

"The United
States government does not view the election
process as being free and fair," he said.

The outcome will not be legitimate without a fair process,
he said. The process so far had been painted with "abuse" and
"strong-arm tactics," he said.

US Embassy spokesman John Johnson said that the election
process in Cambodia
has been getting better since the election in 1993.

Most observers agree that the process has been smoother this
time around, but parties have still complained of intimidation and violence,
and the campaign period was marred by the murder of an opposition journalist
earlier this month.

Van Hollen said he was very sorry for the death of
Moneasekar Khmer reporter Khim Sambor and his son and called for Cambodian
authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Those who committed the crime, "who engaged in
political violence like this," must be held accountable, he said.

US
Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Robert A. Sieple, said
he hoped the election process in Cambodia will not be a cause
violence or lead to the arrest of non-ruling party activists.

Om Yientang, a senior advisor to Prime Minister Hun Sen,
told VOA Khmer recently the elections were improving in Cambodia and
had been equal for all political parties.